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Modesto board reviews proposed curriculum adoptions totaling about $3.2 million
Summary
District staff presented recommended textbook and digital-material adoptions across academic language development, social science, IB courses and career-technical education for 2025–26, with an estimated total fiscal impact of roughly $3.2 million over the life of the contracts; materials are open for public preview through May 12.
Modesto City Schools staff presented a package of recommended curriculum adoptions for the 2025–26 school year that span academic language development, AP social science, ethnic studies, International Baccalaureate courses and multiple career-technical education pathways.
"These curriculum adoptions are more than textbook selections," said Marissa Lamota, the district director presenting the package. "They are intentional investments in high-quality, relevant, and inclusive materials that directly support our strategic plan and equitable access for students." Lamota said the recommended ALD (Academic Language Development) program from Cengage has a six-year adoption with a projected fiscal impact of approximately $2,200,000 and will include both physical texts and a digital platform.
Senior directors outlined other recommended adoptions: an AP U.S. Government text (approx. $117,000 for a seven-year adoption), an ethnic-studies adoption using Newsela (seven years; approx. $747,000), multiple IB history and humanities texts (small-line fiscal impacts ranging from about $5,000 to $19,000 depending on the titles), IB chemistry (approx. $9,000), IB sports/exercise and health science (approx. $3,000), and CTE materials including automotive, theater, DSLR photography and video production (individual line items including a $5,000 automotive text adoption and an $84,000 video-arts package). Staff estimated the total projected fiscal impact for the full package at about $3,200,000 over the lifespans of the adoptions, with final costs to be adjusted based on actual enrollment.
Board members asked whether multi-year contracts—particularly the seven-year ethnic-studies contract—include ongoing digital updates. "It is not a static platform," Lori Hulin, a senior director who presented social-science recommendations, said of Newsela. "It's continually being built by Newsela," and teachers can print hard copies of online content when changes occur. Trustees emphasized that the board treats curriculum adoptions seriously and urged teachers to implement adopted materials consistently.
The materials are available for public preview through May 12 at the district office (extended hours April 8 and April 21). No final adoption vote was recorded during the presentation portion of the meeting; staff indicated final costs will be adjusted after enrollment figures are known.
